Pre-entry Guide for Mature Learners
DCU has a diverse student body and strongly encourages applications from
mature learners who wish to study towards obtaining a third level qualification.
Mature students are those aged 23 years, or above, on 1st January on the
year of entry.
Mature learners have a wealth of knowledge and experience with which they
make a valuable contribution. DCU adopts an ethos of lifelong learning and is
continually working towards wider entry routes for mature learners in order to
increase participation of adult learners.
What can I study in DCU as a mature student?
DCU offers over 50 Honours degree programmes in general areas of science,
nursing, business, humanities, education, engineering and computing. The
best source of information on these courses is our online prospectus.
Details of all DCU programmes (prospectus) are available at:
www.dcu.ie/ignite/
DCU reserves 10% of places on each course for mature students.
Choosing a course:
Is third level education definitely for you? If you are unsure, seek advice from:

Local area Adult Education Guidance Counsellor.
Consult National Centre for Guidance in education:
www.ncge.ie | T: 01 869 0715/6

DCU Careers advisor. To arrange an appointment contact:
T: 01 700 5163 | E: careers@dcu.ie

Employer/Manager if you are working

DCU Mature Student Liaison officer or for learners with disabilities
(includes learners with long term medical conditions, specific learning
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difficulties or mental ill health) to seek information on additional support
you are entitled to avail of at DCU, contact:
Marian Scullion, Disability & Learning Support Service
T: 01 700 5686 | E: marian.scullion@dcu.ie

Family and friends

Consult Qualifax, the National Learning Database to research your
options: www.qualifax.ie
If you decide DCU is for you and you wish to submit an application;

Research our courses: www.dcu.ie/ignite/

Read our prospectus carefully

Consult our website: www.dcu.ie

Attend our yearly Open Days held in November: www.dcu.ie/openday

Attend our information events for learners with disabilities:
www4.dcu.ie/students/disability/events.shtml

Contact the academic staff and mature student officer to discuss your
application

Select your courses

Apply
How do I apply? (full time courses)

Mature EU applicants to DCU for full-time study must complete two
application forms:
One to the CAO: Request a CAO pack: www.cao.ie or T: 091 509800
One directly to DCU: Download our Supplementary Application form
from: www.dcu.ie/registry/mature

Applications to DCU can also be made online at www.cao.ie (except
those applying for Nursing programmes or Non-EU applicants) and must
submit a Mature Applicants Supplementary Information Form directly to
the University.
Copies can be requested from DCU Registry at:
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T: 01 7005338 | E: registry@dcu.ie | Download a PDF copy at:
www.dcu.ie/registry/forms/pdfs/R3.pdf

Supplementary information such as examination results, certificates of
attendance, a personal statement etc. should be submitted to the CAO
with your application form

For applicants applying online, please forward any supplementary
information to the CAO immediately after you have submitted your
online application

Photocopy your completed application form and store in a safe place

Apply to CAO and return our application form to DCU by February 1st.
How do I apply? (part-time courses)

Mature applications apply to DCU for part time undergraduate courses
directly to DCU

Download a copy of our direct application form from:
www.dcu.ie/registry/forms/pdfs/R10.pdf or contact:
T: 01 700 5338 | E: registry@dcu.ie
In the case of mature applicants, 'other' experience, apart from performance
in examinations, is taken into consideration - this may be work experience,
further studies, or other such experience deemed to be relevant to the
application. For some programmes it may be necessary to meet specific
educational requirements, such as Leaving Certificate Science for science
based programmes or higher level mathematics in the Leaving Certificate for
engineering programmes.
Mature applicants are assessed based on their application details and some
may be called for interview (typically in late March/early April). DCU will inform
applicants of the outcome of their application
DCU will look for satisfactory evidence of your ability to pursue and get the
most out of the programme(s) for which you are applying.
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Frequently asked questions:
How do I apply as a learner with a disability?
Mature applicants apply as for any other mature applicant and follow the DCU
Registry procedures.
What are the application deadlines?
Full time study: Both application forms must be submitted by February 1st.
Part time study: Application deadlines for part-time courses vary, so please
check individual online programme listings for details.
What happens to my application?

All mature applications are forwarded from the CAO to DCU.

The relevant director of programme/admissions assesses your
application.

Applicants are short listed for interview and interviews will normally take
place during May or early June.

Applicants to Nursing should consult www.nursingcareers.ie for
information on applying to study nursing as a mature student.

For a small number of courses, selection is based entirely on your
written CAO application.
Why do I have to complete a personal statement?
The personal statement tells us more information about you and your reasons
for applying to DCU. When completing your personal statement you should
include:

Evidence of your academic ability

Relevant work or life experience

Evidence of your interest and motivation and desire to return to learning
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Are there any grants, scholarships or financial assistance for mature
learners? Yes.
The new central online system for student grants is now live and can be
accessed through www.studentfinance.ie. This is a dedicated website where
you can apply for a grant and source information on financial support for
further and higher education. Student Universal Support Ireland or SUSI will
be accepting all grant applications for new students or students who are
changing course in the coming academic year.
If you have any queries in relation to the application process or the student
grant scheme you should contact the "SUSI Support Desk" at:
T: 0761 08 7874 | E: support@susi.cdvec.ie.
Renewal applications for students already in receipt of a grant for their current
courses and continuing on that course in 2012/13 will continue to be dealt with
by the existing 66 grant awarding authorities.
Further information on student grants and other financial supports is available
on www.studentfinance.ie.
The Back to Education Allowance Scheme
The Back to Education Allowance Scheme is aimed at assisting those who are
unemployed, are lone parents or have a disability, to pursue approved third
level education courses.
Contact your local Social Welfare Office to establish your eligibility for this
allowance. Consult www.welfare.ie to locate your local office. Alternatively
contact Back to Education at:
T: 1890 927999/ 071 9672616 or for general information on the scheme visit:
www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BackToEducation/
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Local Development Authorities
Some local development companies provide financial assistance and bursary
schemes or financial assistance for students who are intending to return to
third level education. To find details of your local development authority and to
make enquiries for possible funding, please visit www.pobail.ie or
Contact T: 01 5117000 | Email: enquiries@pobal.ie
For people living in the Northside Dublin catchment area please contact:
Northside Partnership, Coolock Development Centre, Bunratty Drive, Coolock,
Dublin 17.
T: 01 8485630 | F: 01 8485661 | E: info@northsidepartnership.ie
DCU Finance Office (Fees, Grants and Scholarships)
All matters to do with fees are dealt with by the Finance Office and can be
contacted at:
T: 01 7008836 General Enquiries | E: fees@dcu.ie |
W: dcu.ie/finance/fees/index.shtml
Supports:
What supports are available to me as a mature learner?
DCU provides a range of services and supports to students through Student
Support & Development. In addition to this, supports specifically for mature
students are available and continue to be developed at DCU. These include our
Mature Student Summer School for new students, which will take place in midSeptember. This Summer School aims to help smooth your transition to
college life, here you will get advice on aspects such as the use of
computers/technology in learning, study skills, writing an academic paper and
getting involved in student life.
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What additional support is available to me as a mature learner with a
disability? (includes long term medical condition, specific learning difficulty or
mental ill health)
Overview of DLSS Services:
The following supports and services are available through Disability & Learning
Support Service to eligible students registered with the service.

CART Notetaking

Sign Language Interpreting

Notetakers

Academic Tuition

Learning Support Service

Personal Assistant

Assistive Technology

Exam Supports

Online Orientation

Additional Orientation to suit your needs

Unilink Service (for learners who may be experiencing mental health
difficulties and/or physical and sensory difficulties)

Maths Learning Centre (one to one support from experienced tutors)

Campus Visits – view the accessible facilities including the library and
campus accommodation at any time during the year or view our Campus
Access Guide: www.disabledgo.com/en/org/dublin-city-university
Note: Funded supports are decided on a case by case basis and are supplied
subject to successful funding application
For more information please contact: Marian Scullion, Disability & Learning
Support Service:
T: 01 700 5686 | E: marian.scullion@dcu.ie or consult our online information
at: http://www4.dcu.ie/students/disability/services.shtml
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Other student supports include:

Dedicated Careers Advisor

Counselling Service

Chaplaincy Service

Disability & Learning Support Service

Health Service

Maths Learning Centre

Personal Tutoring System

Student Advice Centre

Students Union

Our University Sports Club has more than 100 clubs and societies
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